Posts Tagged ‘Hanford Fox Theatre’

Hanford, CA is an important commercial and cultural center in the south central San Joaquin Valley and is the county seat of Kings County, California. It is the principal city of the Hanford-Corcoran, California Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA Code 25260), which encompasses all of Kings County, including the cities of Hanford and Corcoran. The ZIP Code is 93230 (93232 for post office boxes).

The population of Hanford was 41,686 at the 2000 census. However, the place is growing rapidly and the the population as of January 1, 2010 was 53,266.

This seems like a great place for young single males to live as the female to male ratio is higher. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.3 males.

Hanford features more than 105 different kinds of activities like Vida’s Italian Steak House. There are 68 restaurants and cafes, 18 stores, three or four brewery/bars, lots of fun things to do, a spa, golf course, and a landmark. You could eat at a different Hanford restaurant once a week for more than a year. Plus, you’ll find an art museum and a museum if you are in a cultural mood.

Hanford Historic Downtown is home to unique restaurants, events, stores and small stores.

Michaels, Old Navy, Petsmart, Home Depot, Target, Lowe’s and Marshalls all have retail outlets in Hanford.

You’ll also find:

The Clark Center For Japanese Art and Culture

The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture

The Clark Center features The Ruth & Sherman Lee Institute, whose mission is to collect, preserve and exhibit works of fine art, primarily the arts of Japan. The Center, a complex of buildings in a style informed by Japanese architecture, also houses a specialist library for Japanese art and culture.

Hanford Carnegie Museum

Hanford Carnegie Museum

The Hanford Carnegie Museum was built in 1905 as one of the many Carnegie libraries funded by steel industry magnate, Andrew Carnegie. The library was replaced by a new structure at a different location in 1968. The old library was subsequently renovated and re-opened as the Hanford Carnegie Museum in 1974. The building is of Romanesque architecture with displays of furniture and photos describing the history of the Hanford area.

Kings District Fair

The Kings District Fair is a traditional county fair held on four days in mid-July at the Kings Fairgrounds.

Renaissance of Kings Cultural Arts Faire

The Renaissance of Kings Cultural Arts Faire is held the first weekend of October at Courthouse Square in Hanford’s city center. The Faire recreates the period of time during the rule of King Henry VIII of England. There is no admission charge and the event typically attracts 15,000 people over the two-day period.

Kings Art Center

The Kings Art Center which opened in 1989 is the premier visual arts gallery and art training center of Kings County. Gallery shows are changed approximately every four weeks. Typical shows include photography, pottery, water color, mixed media, prints, textiles and fibers. Art classes for adults and children are scheduled throughout the year.

Kings Symphony Orchestra

The Kings Symphony Orchestra was founded in 1963 and draws musicians from throughout the central and southern San Joaquin Valley. The orchestra typically performs four times a year with a variety of classical and pops music.

The Hanford Fox Theatre

The Hanford Fox Theatre

The Hanford Fox Theatre was constructed in 1929 and is located on Irwin Street in Hanford’s city center. It is regularly used for live concerts. Featured artists in 2006 and 2007 included the Charlie Daniels Band, Dwight Yoakam, Kathy Griffin and George Jones. The Hanford Fox Theater previously hosted benefit performances by Bob Hope, Red Skelton and John Denver.

The Kings County Courthouse

The Kings County Courthouse

The Kings County Courthouse was erected after Kings County was formed; it opened in 1896. Constructed in an eclectic mix of styles in a park in the center of Hanford, it was expanded in 1914. The building was the county’s courthouse until 1976 when it was replaced by the new Kings County Government Center on West Lacey Boulevard. The old courthouse was remodeled in the early 1980s and now houses offices, shops and restaurants.

The building now known as The Bastille just north of the old courthouse was the Kings County Jail from 1898 until 1964. Constructed in Romanesque style, it is notable for its crenellated octagonal tower. It currently finds use as a restaurant and nightclub.

Superior Dairy

Superior Dairy is a classic 1920s ice cream parlor and is famous throughout California. The business makes all of its ice cream on-site. Superior Dairy is across the street from the Civic Auditorium and The Bastille.

Hanford is the site of the Sentinel Criterium bicycle races held on a Sunday in late March. The 0.9-mile (1.4 km) hourglass style loop course is run on downtown streets. The Criterium is held under USA Cycling racing rules and permit.

Dirt track auto racing takes place at the Kings Speedway from March through October. The track is a 3/8-mile semi-banked clay oval and is located at the Kings Fairgrounds.

Hanford, CA offers many fine hotels and is great for all budgets. Amongst the hotels on offer are:

The Sequoia Inn in Hanford, CA

The Sequoia Inn
1655 Mall Dr., Hanford, CA 93230

The Sequoia Inn in Hanford is an attractive, affordable hotel. Our Sequoia Inn has charming interior decor, friendly front desk service, and immaculate housekeeping care. It includes special features such as an exercise room and heated swimming pool and spa; guest laundry; complimentary continental breakfast and free parking. There are several different suite configurations and connecting units available.

If you are looking for a less upscale hotel experience than the Sequoia Inn Hanford also offers these fine choices:

The Western States Inn
480 South 11th Ave, Hanford, CA 93230

Comfort Inn Hanford
10 North Irwin Street, Hanford, CA 93230

Best Western Hanford Inn
755 Cadillac Lane, Hanford, CA 93230

Super 8 Hanford
918 E Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA 93230

The Irwin Street Inn

Additionally, The Irwin Street Inn located at 522 N. Irwin St., Hanford, CA 93230 is a terrific bed and breakfast that is highly recommended. A great place to grab a drink. The outdoor seating is lovely and the staff are very friendly. Aside from being a popular B & B the Irwin Street Inn is also a popular place to hold your wedding reception.

We hope you enjoy your stay in Hanford, CA. It is a truly wonderful place and one we are sure you will return to often.